KUALA LUMPUR: China and Hong Kong have had to withdraw from this week’s Badminton Asia Team Championships in Manila due to the coronavirus outbreak, organisers said on Tuesday.

More than 42,000 people have been infected by the flu-like virus in mainland China, with authorities confirming more than 1,000 deaths.

The Philippines has temporarily banned all travellers from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan due to the outbreak, leaving organisers scrambling to try to arrange visas for players and officials for the Feb. 11-16 event.

“However, the decision to impose the 14 days quarantine period for all travellers coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau has to be respected in view of the health and safety of the Philippines government for its people,” Badminton Asia said in a statement.

“It is in this respect that the above event will not see the teams from China and Hong Kong competing. The India’s Women Team withdrawal was owing to concerns shown by the parents and players.”

India will, however, send its men’s team after they agreed to travel to Manila.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2020